Illinois State first baseman Emily Krueger was named to the Louisville Slugger/National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Division I Great Lakes Region Second Team Thursday.
Emily had a fantastic season for us, Redbird head coach
Melinda Fischer said. I think we were still going to see some great things from her, but our season came to an abrupt end and we didnt get that chance. She did absolutely everything we needed her to do offensively and we were really able to see a total player in her.
Krueger, who batted .392 and led the Birds in nearly every offensive category this season, was the only Redbird named to the team. Despite playing just two seasons in an Illinois State uniform after transferring from Lincoln Land Community College, the first baseman from Pleasant Plains, Ill., has made an indelible impression on the Redbird softball program.
In addition to being a unanimous selection to the All-Valley first team, Krueger was also the runner-up for conference player of the year this season. As a senior, she shattered the Illinois State and Valley records for home runs in a single season. The left-hander finished her career with the highest career slugging percentage in Illinois State softball history (.656). Krueger also led her team to a new league mark for home runs in a single season (45), on her way to completing her career with the second most homers in ISU softball history (24).
Seven players from the Valley received accolades from the nine regions. Joining Krueger on the second team was Southern Illinois pitcher Amy Harre, the only other league representative from the Great Lakes Region. Creighton outfielder Stacey Rybar, the Valleys Player of the Year, earned first team honors in the Midwest Region, while Drakes Kate Shimon also earned first team laurels as a utility player. Bluejay pitcher Tammy Nielsen received second team accolades. In the Mideast Region, Evansville second baseman Alicia Laraway earned first team honors, as did Bradley shortstop Laura Harms. Evansville outfielder Emily Winters was named to the second team.
The teams were voted on by NFCA member coaches from each region. The Louisville Slugger/NFCA All-America teams will be announced on Wednesday, May 26, at the opening ceremonies of the Womens College World Series in Oklahoma City, Okla.
